In Mark 14:37 Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane intensely praying and finds the disciples sleeping. 37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." NIV
On Saturday August 19, 2023, to Sunday August 20, 2023 the First Baptist Prayer Team is asking the Body of Christ that meets in the Grace Worship Center each week to participate in a 24 hour time of prayer to seek the Lord regarding how the Lord wants us to decide about the Faith Building and our other facilities. There is a form that will allow you to choose which hour you choose to come to the Grace Worship Center. More than one person can choose the same hour. You can pray for more than one hour
You ask how can I pray for one hour? Dick Eastman wrote a book several years ago “The Hour the Changed the World”. In it he gives a guide of 12 five-minute segments to pray. It is included in this message.
The Hour That Changes The World – By Dick Eastman
(1) Begin with Praise – Recognize God’s Nature Psalm 63:3, “Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
(2) Waiting – Silent Soul Surrender Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
(3) Confession – Temple Cleansing Time Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
(4) Scripture Praying – Word Enriched Prayer Jeremiah 23:29, “Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”
(5) Watching – Develop Holy Alertness Colossians 4:2, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
(6) Intercession – Remember The World 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
(7) Petition – Share Personal Needs Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
(8) Thanksgiving – Confess My Blessings 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
(9) Singing – Worship In Song Psalm 100:2, “Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
(10) Meditation – Ponder Spiritual Themes Joshua 1:8, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
(11) Listening – Receive Spiritual Instruction Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.”
(12) Praise – Recognize God’s Nature Psalm 52:9, “I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.
Will you come and pray for one hour? Don’t say “the sprit is willing but the flesh is weak! Choose your time to Glorify the Lord Jesus!
